Margerie Glacier

Q: Can I walk on the glacier or get closer than the boat allows?

No. Margerie is a tidewater glacier—its terminus sits on an underwater ledge, so calving is constant and unpredictable. The meltwater is near freezing, currents are strong, and icebergs are unstable. Tour operators maintain safe distances (1,000+ feet) for good reason. The boat vantage provides the safest and clearest view.

Q: When will I actually see calving events?

Calving happens daily, particularly mid-morning through mid-afternoon when meltwater pressure peaks. You'll hear cracks and roars preceding collapse. Even if you don't witness a major calving during your visit, the ice face itself—with embayments, crevasses, and fresh bedrock exposure—reveals the glacier's active dynamics.

Q: Do I need special gear or physical preparation?

Yes. Bring layers and rain gear (rain is frequent in Southeast Alaska; mornings can be cold and misty even in July). If prone to motion sickness, bring medication—the boat ride can be choppy. Wear close-toed shoes with grip for boat decks. The trip is 3–5 hours, so prepare for standing or sitting in same position; moderate fitness helps but not mandatory.

Q: Is the glacier still changing, or is it stable now?

Still changing rapidly. The terminus began retreating in 1998 and underwent dramatic restructuring in 2017, with embayments deepening and bedrock newly exposed along the flanks. The glacier flows approximately 2,000 feet per year—one of the fastest in the park—so expect the ice face to look different than photos from years ago.

Q: Can I see wildlife from the glacier, or is that rare?

Wildlife viewing is reliable. Harbor seals and sea otters rest on icebergs regularly (best viewed with binoculars). Black-legged kittiwakes swarm in feeding frenzies when meltwater and calving disturb the water and concentrate small fish. Morning and afternoon visits offer the best chance to observe behavioral feeding events.

Q: How does Margerie compare to other glaciers in the park (like Johns Hopkins)?

Margerie has a more stable terminus with recent embayment formation and exposed bedrock. Johns Hopkins is retreating faster. Margerie's calving is more frequent and dramatic, and ice reaches ocean water directly (tidewater setting), enabling frequent iceberg formation. Both are worth seeing, but Margerie offers more dynamic visible changes and reliable wildlife.

Type

Glacial Formation

Accessibility

Boat access required; moderate fitness (vessel seating, potential motion on water).

Best Season

Late-May through early-September; peak July (warmest, most tour availability).

Busiest Season

July (peak summer season in Southeast Alaska).

Features

Tidewater glacier, 21 miles long, cascading ice terminus, active calving, icebergs in Tarr Inlet, harbor seals and sea otters on ice, bedrock exposure, glacial meltwater streams.

Elevation

9,000 ft

Overview

About This Attraction

A towering wall of white-blue ice cascades from the Fairweather Range into Tarr Inlet, its face carved by gravity and calving into the sea. Icebergs the size of office buildings fracture daily, tumbling into glacier-fed waters where harbor seals, sea otters, and black-legged kittiwakes ride the floes and feed on fish disturbed by meltwater. This tidewater glacier flows approximately 2,000 feet per year—one of the fastest in the park—and its terminus has undergone dramatic changes since 1998, with embayments deepening and bedrock newly exposed. The ice face is constantly resculpted by seasonal melt and daily calving events; no two visits reveal the same formation.

Quick Facts

Type

Glacial Formation

Elevation

9,000 ft

Access

Boat access required; moderate fitness (vessel seating, potential motion on water).

Main Features

Tidewater glacier, 21 miles long, cascading ice terminus, active calving, icebergs in Tarr Inlet, harbor seals and sea otters on ice, bedrock exposure, glacial meltwater streams.

What You'll See

White-blue ice wall approximately 100+ feet tall, chunks of ice ranging from car-sized to multi-story buildings, icebergs floating in dark glacier-fed water, harbor seals resting on floes, sea otters diving, black-legged kittiwakes in feeding swarms, U-shaped valley carved by glacial erosion, Fairweather Range peaks rising from ice, exposed dark bedrock on glacier flanks.

What Makes It Special

One of the few active tidewater glaciers in Southeast Alaska with frequent calving visible to visitors. Flows approximately 2,000 feet per year. Dramatic recent changes: terminus recession began 1998; in 2017 deep embayments formed and significant bedrock exposure increased along glacier flanks. Ice reaches ocean water (not lake), enabling calving directly into saltwater.

Best Time to Visit

Mid-morning through mid-afternoon (calving frequency peaks as meltwater pressure builds). Early season (late-May through June) has fewer visitors; July is peak season with warmest weather and most tour availability.

Safety Considerations

Glacier calving is unpredictable and creates hazards: falling ice, icebergs with submerged portions, meltwater currents, and cold water (temperature near freezing). Maintain safe distance (1,000+ feet) as enforced by tour operators. Vessel-dependent risk: rough water, hypothermia risk if immersed. Bear country—100-yard distance from bears, 25 yards from other wildlife. Do not approach the glacier on foot or by kayak.

Visitor Tips

Watch for calving events; listen for cracks and roars preceding ice collapse.
Bring binoculars to spot harbor seals and sea otters on icebergs; black-legged kittiwakes swarm to feed on disturbed fish.
The ice face has changed dramatically since 2017—expect embayments and exposed bedrock, not a simple wall.
Morning light hits the ice face best for photography; afternoon shadows can obscure details.
Wear layers and rain gear; Southeast Alaska weather shifts in minutes.
Dress for water temperature near freezing; spray from calving reaches observation distances.

Details

Location & Features

Type: Glacial Formation

Elevation: 9,000 ft

Distance from Entrance: Approximately 65 miles northwest of Bartlett Cove by boat; 3–5 hours by tour vessel.

GPS: 59.034226, -137.086897

What Makes It Unique:

Geology

Formation Type: Tidewater Glacier

Scientific Interest:

Active calving mechanism (ice collapses directly into saltwater, distinct from terrestrial glaciers). Terminus recession visible over decadal scale (rapid retreat since 1998; embayment formation 1998–2017). Ice-flow rate approximately 2,000 feet per year (6 feet per day)—among the fastest in Southeast Alaska. Glacial isostasy: the glacier rests on an underwater ledge (not fjord floor), enabling calving without grounding-line retreat. Recent bedrock exposure indicates thinning and velocity changes. Interaction with ocean saltwater creates distinct meltwater plume visible from space.

Getting There

Directions:

Charter boat or scheduled tour from Bartlett Cove (Gustavus, Alaska). Accessible late-May through early-September. Cruise ships and private yachts also access the glacier via Tarr Inlet. No overland access.

Access Type: Boat access required; moderate fitness (vessel seating, potential motion on water).

Road: Water access only (saltwater inlet).

Seasonal Access: Late-May through early-September. Winter access extremely limited; most tour operators cease service. No roads; vessel-dependent.

Parking: Not applicable. Boat launch and parking at Bartlett Cove trailhead and visitor services.

Entry Fees: No separate glacier entrance fee. Covered under Glacier Bay National Park entry (no formal gate). America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 USD (valid for all federal recreation sites). Charter boat tours typically $300–$600+ per person depending on vessel and itinerary.

Photography & Viewing

Best Viewpoints:

From tour boat anchored at safe viewing distance (typically 1,000+ feet from terminus) in Tarr Inlet. Optimal angle: late morning when light hits ice face and shadows reveal crevasse detail.

Photo Opportunities:

Calving events (mid-morning to afternoon), ice texture and crevasse detail (morning light), harbor seals and otters on icebergs (any time, binoculars advised), mountain backdrop with glacier in foreground (wide-angle), kittiwake feeding frenzies (midday).

Best Photo Spots:

Bow of tour vessel (frontal view of calving face), glacier terminus centered with mountain peaks as backdrop (wide-angle), close-up of ice texture and crevasse patterns (telephoto), wildlife on icebergs (binoculars + camera), afternoon light on ice floes.

Facilities

Guided Tours Available

Wildlife & Nature

Common Wildlife:

Harbor seals, sea otters, black-legged kittiwake gulls, black bears (inland regions), brown bears (park-wide), humpback whales (offshore, seasonal).

Best Wildlife Viewing: Black-legged kittiwakes most visible mid-morning through afternoon when meltwater and calving disturb water and concentrate small fish. Harbor seals and sea otters present throughout season; peak visibility late-May through August.

Seasonal Information

Best Season: Late-May through early-September; peak July (warmest, most tour availability).

Best Times: Early morning (first tour, clearer light) or late afternoon (fewer crowds, potential for sunset light). Avoid midday if claustrophobic on tour vessels.

Road Opens: Boat access typically opens late-May; most tour operators suspend service by mid-September. No roads or plowing; water-dependent access.

Busiest: July (peak summer season in Southeast Alaska).

Parking Fills: July is peak season; tour vessels operate at capacity. Early morning and late afternoon tours tend to be less crowded than midday sailings. Late-May through June offer fewer visitors.

Snow Until: not applicable

Winter Access: Severely limited. Most tour operators cease service November–April. Occasional charter boats available for experienced mariners; conditions dangerous and unpredictable.

Weather:

Afternoon fog common in glacier-fed fjords; rainfall frequent in Southeast Alaska (200+ inches annually in region). Wind can increase boat motion. Cold water creates spray; freezing mist possible even in summer. Morning tends clearer than afternoon.

Activities

Boating Allowed

Nearby

Nearby Attractions:

Lamplugh Glacier, Johns Hopkins Glacier, Grand Pacific Glacier, Beardslee Islands (kayaking), Geikie Inlet, Muir Inlet, Bartlett Cove, Beartrack Mountains.

Nearby Services:

Gustavus, Alaska (20 miles south by water; lodging, restaurants, fuel). Bartlett Cove (tour operator base; visitor information station, campground, boat launch).

Insider Tips

Calving peaks mid-morning through mid-afternoon; plan viewing window accordingly. Bring motion-sickness medication if prone—Tarr Inlet has moderate chop.
Binoculars are essential for spotting seals, otters, and kittiwakes on ice; handheld spotting scope reveals ice-face detail.
The glacier's terminus has changed faster since 1998 than in the prior century—expect embayments and exposed bedrock, not a simple wall of blue ice.
Bring a polarizing filter for photography to cut water glare and reveal ice crevasse detail.
Weather: mornings typically clearer; afternoon fog common. Layers essential—Southeast Alaska can surprise you with rapid temperature drops.
If chartered privately, negotiate for time at the glacier; scheduled tours sometimes prioritize turnaround time.

Visitor Information

Accessibility:

Water-based access only. Accessible by charter boat, scheduled tour vessel, or cruise ship from Bartlett Cove (Gustavus). Moderate fitness required for vessel boarding and multi-hour trips. No wheelchair access to glacier viewing itself; most tour boats have ADA-accessible head facilities. Requires advance reservation for private charters; scheduled tours available daily late-May through early-September.

Family Friendly:

Best for ages 7 and older due to boat motion and duration (3–5 hours minimum). Motion sickness possible; medication recommended. Dress warmly: cold spray from calving and air temperature near 50°F even in July. Children must stay with adults near railings; unpredictable calving requires constant attention. Large icebergs and roaring ice create memorable but intense experiences; younger children may find it overwhelming.

Nearby Facilities:

Bartlett Cove: Glacier Bay Visitor Information Station, Bartlett Cove Campground (nearby, 0.5 miles from dock). Gustavus: lodging (cabins, inns), restaurants, grocery, fuel, air taxi service. No facilities at glacier itself.

Reviews

" Visitors consistently rate Margerie Glacier as a park highlight despite (or because of) the effort to access it. The combination of active calving, visible wildlife on icebergs, and dramatic ice-face scale creates memorable and scientifically interesting experiences. Those expecting a static "postcard glacier" are pleasantly surprised by the dynamic calving and frequent ice collapse. The boat ride itself—through narrow fjords with mountain walls rising directly from water—adds to the spectacle."

FAQs

Is it worth the long boat ride to see a glacier that's retreating?

Yes. Margerie is one of the few remaining tidewater glaciers calving actively into the ocean—ice is collapsing into saltwater in real time. You're witnessing rapid glacial dynamics: embayments forming, bedrock exposing, icebergs the size of buildings fracturing daily. Retreat doesn't diminish the spectacle; it makes it scientifically more compelling.

Can I walk on the glacier or get closer than the boat allows?

When will I actually see calving events?

Do I need special gear or physical preparation?

Is the glacier still changing, or is it stable now?

Can I see wildlife from the glacier, or is that rare?

How does Margerie compare to other glaciers in the park (like Johns Hopkins)?

🏞️ National Park Service 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works →

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